-Deborah Akinyosoye
The Federal Government has called on agencies recruiting for the private sector to adhere to the N70,000 minimum wage, warning that any deviation would not be tolerated.
According to the FG, the new minimum wage is necessary to address the current economic reality, emphasising that no Nigerian worker, whether in government or private employment, should be paid less than the minimum wage.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, stated this on Wednesday while speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, held in Ikeja, Lagos.
Abubakar, who was represented by the Director of Employment and Wages of the ministry, John Nyamali, said, “The minimum wage is now a law, and as a result, it is a punishable crime for any employer to pay less than N70,000 to any of its workers.
“The private employment agencies should make it compulsory in any contract they take from their principal that their workers should not earn less than the minimum wage. The least paid worker in Nigeria should earn N70,000, and I think that should be after all deductions.
“The minimum wage is a law, and you can be jailed if you fail to implement it. The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that the least paid worker goes home with N70,000.”
In his remarks, the President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, Dr Olufemi Ogunlowo, asked the government and Nigeria Labour Congress to clarify whether the N70,000 minimum wage is net or gross, stating that all ambiguities in the Act should be highlighted and explained.
According to Ogunlowo, the EAPEAN is already committed to the minimum wage, providing decent jobs for Nigerians, and guarding against the exploitation of human resources.
“As an employers union in the private sector, we are committed to implementing the minimum wage. We are a law-abiding and guided association. Our principals and clients have also keyed into the minimum wage.
“However, the government must clarify whether the N70,000 minimum wage is net or gross. The government and NLC should address all ambiguities in the minimum wage,” he stated.
Speaking at the programme, the Chairperson of the NLC, Lagos State Council, Funmilayo Sessi, said the prevailing hardship had made a mess of whatever income any worker was earning in Nigeria, calling on private employers to ensure the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage.
She said, “The N70,000 isn’t enough in the current economic realities. By the time the consequential adjustment is concluded, all private employment agencies should immediately start paying their workers the N70,000 minimum wage.
“The NLC in Lagos State will see to the strict enforcement of the minimum wage. EAPEAN should avoid confrontation with the NLC on the minimum wage.”
Ex-warlord, Tompolo Bags Maritime University Excellent Award
In a determined bid to recognize High Chief Government Ekpomupolo alias Tompolo contributions towards the growth and development of Nigeria Maritime University (NMU) Okerenkoko, Delta State, the Staff of the institution have honoured him with an Award of Excellence.
Presenting the award on Thursday, Mr. Iseru Ebike, team leader of the University staff lauded Tompolo’s patriotic dedication to development of the institution.
Mr. Ebike, a Lecturer of the University said that Tompolo”s numerous intervention projects in the University helped greatly in the overall development of the institution.
According to Mr. Ebike, “we express our deepest appreciation to you for the numerous intervention pro…
NECO Releases SSCE Results As Varsities Consider Extending Screening Date
Sam Philip
Admission seekers, who have been awaiting the O’ Level results can now heave a sigh of relief as National Examination Council(NECO) on Thursday released the results of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examinations, SSCE.
According to the council’s record, no fewer 828,284 candidates wrote the examination as internal candidates.
This was put at 60.55 percent of the total candidates, who scored five credits, including Mathematics and English Language.
According to the NECO Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Prof Dantana Wushishi who spoke at the Council’s Headquarters in Minna, Niger State, the number of candidates who made five credits and above, irrespective of Eng…